Kunduz: MFS Hospital Bombing Deaths Rise To Nine

Published on October 3, 2015. BBC News

The medical charity MSF says air strikes on its hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz continued for more than 30 minutes after US and Afghan authorities were told of its location.

In a statement, MSF has condemned “in the strongest possible terms the horrific bombing of its hospital”.

MSF says the number of its staff killed has risen to nine, from three.

US forces were carrying out air strikes at the time. The Nato alliance has admitted the clinic may have been hit.

Afghanistan: MSF says the number of its staff killed has risen to nine, from three. At least 37 people were seriously injured, 19 of them MSF staff. At least 100 patients were in the hospital. (Photo Courtesy MSF)

At least 37 people were seriously injured, 19 of them MSF staff. At least 100 patients were in the hospital.

Many patients and staff remain unaccounted for, MSF says.

The organisation says that all parties to the conflict, including Kabul and Washington, had been told the precise GPS co-ordinates of the hospital in Kunduz on many occasions.

A spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, Col Brian Tribus, said: “US forces conducted an air strike in Kunduz city at 02:15 (local time)… against individuals threatening the force.

“The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility.”

The incident is being investigated, he added.

There has been intense fighting in Kunduz since Taliban fighters swept into the northern city on Monday.